Patients with life-threatening allergies are facing skyrocketing prices for a critical medication.

Patients with life-threatening allergies are facing skyrocketing prices for a critical medication.

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Updated: 6:22 PM CDT Aug 22, 2016

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WEBVTT S IN JEPOPARDY. DR. JAY PORTNOY WITH CHILDREN'S MERCY SHARES THE ADVICE HE'S GIVING PATIENTS. DR. PORTNOY IS DIRCTOR OF ASTHMA, ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY AT CHILDREN'S MERCY. HE SEES ALLERGY PATIENTS ALL DAY LONG WHO NEED TO KEEP TWO EPI-PENS WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES IN CASE OF A DANGEROUS REACTION. >> THERE'S NO REASON SOMEBODY SHOULD NOT HAVE THE MEDICINE LIKE THIS IF THEY NEED IT BECAUSE IT CAN BE LIFE SAVING. I HAVE PATIENTS WHO CANT AFFORD THEIR EPI-PENS. THEY LITERALLY HAVE FOOD ALLERGY AND THEY LIVE IN FEAR BUT THEY CANNOT GET THE MESSENGER KELLY: -- GET THE MEDICINE. KELLY: A MAJOR COMPETITOR TO THE AT THE PENN -- EPI PEN QUIT MAKING THE MEDICATION GIVING EPI-PEN MORE OF A MONOPOLY. WHILE IT'S ESTIMATED THE EPI PEN COSTS A DOLLAR TO MAKE DRUG COMPANIES SAY THEY HAVE OTHER COSTS. DR. PORTNOY HAS SOME STRONG ADVICE FOR PATIENTS. >> IF YOU NEED THE MEDICINE DONT -- DO NOT NOT GET IT. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AND TELL THEM YOU'RE HAVING A HARD TIME PAYING FOR IT. KELL ALSO, HE SAYS SHOP AROUND. PRICES FOR THE EPI PEN ARE NOT THE SAME AT EVERY PHARMACY. DR. PORTNOY DID SOME CHECKING FOR HIS PATIENTS AND THIS IS WHAT HE FOUND. THE THE COST FOR A PACKAGE OF TWO, AND IT DOES OFTEN TAKE TWO DOSES IF YOU HAVE AN ATTACK, IS $635 AT WALMART. $630 AT CV THE GENERIC VERSION WE MENTIONED, IT IS SOLD IN INDIVIDUAL DOSES. THE PRICE FOR TWO AT WALMART $282.

Patients frustrated by EpiPen price hikes

Patients with life-threatening allergies are facing skyrocketing prices for a critical medication.